December 21, 2018
From the Desk of the Principal
Today’s newsletter marks the beginning of the long awaited winter break. Students have taken those last few quizzes and tests today, in addition to presenting projects. We all want to enjoy some time away, not thinking about school for a while, but it's very important when the calendar flips to January to "keep our eyes on the prize" related to grades and achievement. Today is midterm for the second term. We have seen a rise in the number of students earning D's and F's, a typical occurrence at this time of year. I mentioned in my Find Out First that it’s a good thing to take at least a little time during break to peek at HAC, and perhaps have a conversation with your child about their grades. Are their missing assignments? Are they on top of long-term projects? If they take a little bit of time over the break, what difference can they make? Sometimes it’s as simple as cleaning out the notebook, organizing your space and putting in due dates on a calendar as it flips to January. This is also a great time to remind you that Tuscarora has tutoring during FLEX and after school. Some teachers call and invite students after during this time, but students can and should see teachers on their own. We also have Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) tutoring available to ALL students after school on Tuesday and Thursday with an activity bus that runs afterwards at 4:15PM. Assistance is here and time is provided during the school day. Students should always take advantage of these flexible opportunities for learning and one-on-one assistance.
A quick pair of safety reminders… all students who wish to exercise the privilege to drive to school must have a parking permit. We have seen an uptick in unregistered cars, and we need to have a sense of whose vehicles are in our parking lot on a daily basis. If your student drives, please ensure that they have a parking permit displayed, or get a permit in the Main Office of Tuscarora. Also, on this, the shortest day of the year, a reminder to exercise caution when entering the school lot in the morning, or driving along Ballenger Creek. We have received reports that cars come to a stop on Ballenger Pike and drop students off on the side of the school. Ballenger Pike has no shoulder, and cars SHOULD NOT stop to drop students off there. There have been two accidents (that we know of) where cars doing just this have been rear ended. It is also dark right now as school begins. We work to direct traffic in our parking lot, but a little extra time and dropping in the designated areas ensures that pedestrians, in particular, remain safe.
This last week of school has been full of performances and celebrations. It’s been the season for a wonderful Winter Instrumental and Vocal Music Concert, the Preschool Holiday show and the Show Choir Gala. Our Winter Sports Season is in full swing, and we’ve had several basketball games, a wrestling tournament and indoor track. Continuing into the first of the year, please stop by the Media Center for the Photography Competition on the walls above the stacks. Our photo students will be displaying their best work, judged by local professional photographers. And school spirit has been on full display with our door decorating competition this week and spirit-themed dress days. We ended a day sending students off to break with a Winter Pep Rally in the gym this afternoon. It’s been a great week to be a Titan!
I wish you all a wonderful holiday celebration with family and friends. Enjoy the moments, the chance to truly relax and catch up with people far and near.
With Titan Pride in the New Year, Mr. Christopher Berry Principal
Looking Ahead--The Weekly Calendar
Saturday, December 22
Indoor Track at Dickinson College High School Invitational, 9:30 AM
Monday, December 24
Schools and Offices Closed: Winter Break Christmas Eve
Tuesday, December 25
Schools and Offices Closed: Winter Break Christmas
Wednesday, December 26
Schools Closed: Winter Break Kwanzaa Boys JV Basketball vs. Clarksburg High at Quince Orchard High, 5:15 PM
Thursday, December 27
Schools Closed: Winter Break Kwanzaa Wrestling at Francis Scott Key High, 9:00 AM Boys JV Basketball at Quince Orchard High, either 12:00 PM or 2:00 PM (depending on the results of December 26) Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Watkins Mill at Quince Orchard High, 4:00 PM
Friday, December 28
Schools Closed: Winter Break Kwanzaa Boys Basketball Tournament starts at 3:00 PM ~ THS vs. Clarksburg, 7:00 AM at THS
Saturday, December 29
Kwanzaa
Sunday, December 30
Monday, December 31
Schools and Offices Closed: Winter Break Kwanzaa
Tuesday, January 1
Schools and Offices Closed: New Year’s Day Kwanzaa
Wednesday, January 2
Schools and Offices Re-Open
Thursday, January 3
PARCC English 10 Boys Basketball at Liberty High: JV 5:00 PM, Varsity 6:30 PM Girls Basketball Home vs. Liberty High: JV 5:30 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM Swimming vs. Urbana High at Middletown High Pool, 6:00 PM
Friday, January 4
PARCC English 10 MWH / Sociology Classes to Holocaust Museum, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Academic Tournament at Frederick High, 5:45 PM Wrestling at Randallstown High, 4:00 PM Boys Basketball at TJ High: JV 5:30 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM Girls Basketball Home vs. TJ High: JV 5:30 PM, Varsity 7:00 PM
Saturday, January 5
Wrestling at Randallstown High, 9:00 AM Indoor Track at the Kevin Dare Invitational at Penn State University, 10:00 AM
See the FCPS calendar. *Dates and times are subject to change.
Keeping You Informed--School News
Term 2 Interim Reports Term 2 Interim Reports Out Today
Term Two interims are available in HAC today, December 21. A hard copy will also be sent home with students, who will receive them in Flex classes.
The Winter Break is a great time for parents and students to review grades, catch up on missing work, and prepare for the final three weeks of the semester.
PLTW Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Programs are offered at THS
Application due date has been extended!
Students can apply in either their 9th or 10th grade year. Applications are due end of day Friday, January 18, 2019 to the Guidance Office.
Application Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14-P7olrnrC3IVi6efNH_GdScEGOG62qj3gLy0dIS0Ws/edit?usp=sharing
Teacher Recommendation Link: https://goo.gl/gSXYT3
If your son or daughter is interested in learning more about this opportunity, please have them sign up to shadow our current classes during the school day. Shadowing will begin in November.
Attendance
Good attendance leads to success and boosts graduation. Our school goal is 96%.
See FCPS absence procedures.
Commendations, Congratulations, & Kudos
Student of the Week Aliyah Hooper 12th Grade Nominated by Mr. Ratti "Aliyah is an athlete who comes to THS every day with a willingness to learn and a desire to be a positive influence. Every day she is smiling and energetic."
Internships, Scholarships, & Jobs
USAMRIIS Science Internship USAMRIID Science Internship for next year for current juniors!! Applications for The United States Army Military Research Institute of Infectious Diseases science internships at Ft. Detrick are now available. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with scientists and military personnel in labs. Interns work in full-time paid positions next summer and then for credit during part of their school days during the school year. See Mrs. Mummert for an application packet. Deadline is January 18, 2019. **Note: this is a different opportunity from the Werner H. Kirsten Science Internships at NCI at Ft. Detrick.**
From the School Counseling Office
FCC Dual Enrollment Payment FCC High School Based Dual Enrollment Payment is Due by Wednesday, January 23th for SPRING SEMESTER CLASSES
Students who have not paid by January 23rd will be removed from the course.
Please use your student’s PeopleSoft account at:
myfcc.frederick.edu or
pay in person at FCC Student Accounts Office in Jefferson Hall on the FCC campus:
*Please click on the link below for instructions on how to pay online & the Dual Enrollment Attendance Waiver, this form must be signed and turned in to Ms. Bonet in the Front Office.
FCC PAYMENT DIRECTIONS
THS ATTENDANCE WAIVER FOR FCC
Students taking FCC courses for the first time can reset their password at https://www.frederick.edu/faculty-resources/it-services/passwords.aspx(this is a new process).
REGISTRATION 2020 HAS BEGUN!
All JUNIORS (class of 2020) received registration sheets last week. These Sheets should have been discussed with parents and returned to FLEX teachers this week. All SOPHOMORES (class of 2021) received their Registration Sheet this week. Please discuss your academic opportunities with your parents and teachers. Class of 2021 Registration Sheets will be due next week. All FRESHMEN (class of 2022) will receive their Registration Sheets during FLEX the week of December 17-21.
CALLING ALL JUNIOR GIRLS: CLASS OF 2020 Program Name: Distinguished Young Women of Frederick County Who is eligible: Class of 2020 young women (only juniors in high school) Amount Awarded: Over $20,000 in cash and over 200 colleges offer scholarships for participation Requirements: Frederick County residents. 3.0 minimum GPA How to Apply: Go to distinguishedyw.org and click APPLY NOW. Their
application will be sent to the local chairperson
Deadline to Apply: January 1, 2019
Program will be held at Tuscarora High School on March 16, 2019. Applying does not obligate them to participate. There is no fee to enter and this is NOT a beauty pageant. Participants are evaluated in 5 areas and can win money overall and for individual categories 1. Scholastics (transcripts and test scores are evaluated) 2. Interview (10 minute interview about yourself-we prepare you) 3. Talent (a 90 second piece of your choice-can be any talent, i.e. monologue,
singing. painting, music, dancing)
4. Fitness (a routine is taught to you) 5. On stage speaking
For a video that shows what the program is all about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euOC-6J_J4c&feature=youtu.be Any questions before applying can be sent to Nicole Orr at Frederick@distinguishedyw.org Attention: Students in grades 9-10
The FCPS Career and Technology Center (CTC) invites you to "shadow" a CTC program there.
A specialized FCPS high school, the CTC offers 25 career preparatory programs, most open to students in grades 10-12. Here's a link to programs offered:
https://education.fcps.org/ctc/programs.
Sign ups are opened for Shadowing appointments that will begin in November.
Students: A shadow experience provides an opportunity to experience a program of interest first-hand. You spend two class periods at the CTC in the program for which you might apply. You participate in classroom activities and are able to meet with and talk to the instructor and current students. The shadow experience is also a part of the CTC application process and acceptance criteria. Instructors evaluate students during the shadow experience on use of time, enthusiasm and attitude, how well you follow directions, and your aptitude specific to the program being shadowed. Skill level and knowledge of the specific career field are not as important as a positive attitude and a willingness to learn!
The process to shadow a CTC program has changed this year. To participate, THS students must:
*STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING UP ALL MISSED WORK. Students will be issued a bus pass for the assigned date and time (AM/PM) to ride the bus to the CTC. Some programs take longer than others to assign shadow times due to the number of students interested in the program. There is chance it may take up to a few weeks to receive a shadowing date and time.
Serving students with last names: A-C Danielle Moore D-Hd Jessica McDonald He-Mi Carla Goto Mj-Sc Kay Wilson Sd-Z Elizabeth Forbes
Senior Class of 2019- News & Activites
The Safe and Sane Committee would like to thank you for your continued support and would like to wish each and every one of you a very safe and happy holiday season!
Show your School Spirit! We will be selling custom puravida Titan bracelets every Friday morning at the Donut Table on Main Street! $10 each, cash or check payable to “THS Safe and Sane”. Need to make arrangements to purchase a bracelet or two? Please feel free to email THS2019safeandsane@gmail.com!
If time allows over winter break, please check out all of the information there is on our THS Webpage so you don’t miss a thing! We are still selling tickets for the Graduation Party on May 31st! All of the information about the party and lots of other fun things can be found by visiting: https://education.fcps.org/ths/safensane.
Follow us!
Facebook – THS Class of 2019 Safe & Sane
Twitter : @THS2019safesane
Instagram : THS2019Safe&Sane
TITAN SENIOR NEWS – CLASS OF 2019
Listed below are important dates and information for seniors. Visit the THS Senior Page for up-to-date Senior Information - https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/thsseniors2019/home Twitter Account: @tuscarorahs2019
Date
Jan. 4, 2019
Jan. 25, 2019
PTSA and Booster Organizations
Not a member yet? Find out how to Join the PTSA
See names of PTSA Board and Committee Chairs and more
Media Center Updates
Media Center Hours
Monday – Friday: 7:20 am – 2:40 pm
Media Center Website: https://education.fcps.org/ths/mediacenter
Media Center Twitter: @mediacenterTHS
Media Specialist: Carrie Palmer
Student Health & Wellness
Health Room Technician: Bruce Thompson School Nurse: Rebecca Montes, RN Health Room: 240-236-6400, option 4
Learn More
Photo Gallery
PRINCIPAL Christopher Berry TUSCARORA HIGH 5312 Ballenger Creek Pike Frederick, MD 21703 240-236-6400 Phone 240-236-6401 Fax
Follow Us on Twitter @THSTitanPride Visit Our Website
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS Helen Golibart Jody Ratti Lisa Smith Tanisha Smith Helpful Links: School Cash Online Menus & Meals Grades Online www.fcps.org
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